Recent reports from Uganda, an East African country, indicate that Taiwanese nationals have had their passports temporarily seized by immigration officials, been denied entry, and, in some cases, been returned on the same flights on which they arrived.

Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) confirmed on Aug. 8 that it had recently received reports of Taiwanese nationals having their passports detained and being denied entry by immigration officials at Ugandan airports. The ministry said it is aware of the relevant cases, and Taiwan’s representative office in Somaliland has coordinated with the Taiwan Business Association in Uganda to provide necessary assistance to affected Taiwanese nationals.

According to media reports, at least two cases involving Taiwanese nationals have occurred recently. In one case, a Taiwanese national holding a Republic of China (ROC) passport and possessing a valid Ugandan work permit was traveling on a domestic flight in Uganda on August 3. Upon arriving at the destination, the person’s passport was confiscated by local immigration officials, who cited a “new policy.” The passport has reportedly still not been returned, The Taipei Times reported. 

In another case, a Taiwanese traveler visited Uganda for tourism in early August. Upon arriving at the airport, the traveler was denied entry by immigration officials and was ultimately placed on the same flight to return to the country of departure.

The consecutive incidents have raised concerns over whether Uganda has recently changed its entry policies toward Taiwanese travelers and Taiwanese nationals residing in the country.

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The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it was aware of the cases. After receiving the reports, Taiwan’s representative office in Somaliland, which is also responsible for affairs concerning Uganda, immediately contacted the Taiwan Business Association in Uganda to help affected Taiwanese nationals address the relevant issues.

MOFA: May be linked to Taiwan’s suspension of Ugandan visa issuance

MOFA further said that, based on its preliminary understanding, the incidents “may” be related to Taiwan’s epidemic-control measures in response to the worsening Ebola outbreak in Uganda.

Since June 2 this year, Taiwan has temporarily suspended the issuance of visas to Ugandan nationals and barred their entry into Taiwan. The measures were introduced for 90 days in response to the Ebola outbreak. 

MOFA therefore does not rule out the possibility that Ugandan authorities may have responded to Taiwan’s measures by imposing corresponding visa or entry restrictions on Taiwanese nationals, CNA, reported.

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